KSA: the backbone of your resume

Your resume can be one of the most important files in your professional career. A powerfully written resume can lead to endless career opportunities. However, a poorly written resume can send you directly to the unemployment office. The challenge is to represent all your past in the most attractive way possible.

Applying for federal jobs is especially challenging, as the federal government often requires additional information: a statement of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA). KSAs describe special qualifications you earned from past employment. KSAs are actually the most accurate reflection of your potential success in a job. Employers prefer candidates who show the KSAs that are required for the position. A great KSA shows that the candidate possesses the qualities required for the job.

Before we dig any further, let’s review what KSA actually means:

Knowledge Statements – Reflect a body of information that, when applied, enables you to perform the job successfully. The information is often factual or industry specific.

Skill Statements: Describe your competency in a certain area (such as technical skills, people skills, or problem-solving skills).

Ability Statements: Demonstrate your power to perform a given task or activity by applying your knowledge and skills.

There are many helpful strategies for writing an outstanding resume that emphasizes KSA. To get started, read the job ad carefully to find out what attributes the employer is looking for. Link your past experiences to the job you hope to get. Show that you can do the job using the attributes you gained from past experiences. Also, write concisely and informatively. The information you provide must be relevant to the position you are applying for. If possible, quantify your statements with numbers, percentages, and statistics. With a KSA-based resume, you’re sure to get the job you’ve been hoping for!

Resume Dictionary is a free website designed to help you create a resume that emphasizes the KSAs. The site’s resources include powerful words and phrases that strengthen KSA statements.